-an entry from the National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health-
processes protruding
excitatory synapses
cerebral circuits
dendritic differentiation
growth is s lo w.
a complex dance, unfolding of a blueprint; how do we understand this dance?
stress stress stress stress stress learn grow develop stress stress stress stress stress
the brain is sensitive! plastic changes are not all permanent
permanent
permanent
choose...your...psychomotor stimulants!
amphetamine
cocaine
nicotine
choose:
gray or white matter
schizophrenia or drug addiction
ADHD or depression
the brain structures will not be changed;
pathological plasticity = pathological pain
not all plasticity is good
just like a sculptor
who creates a statue
with a block of stone
and a chisel
to remove the unwanted pieces
in vivo → cell death